Evaluation of ODOT Roadway/Weather Sensor Systems for Snow & Ice Removal Operations \u2013 Part V: Vehicular Speed Associated With Winter Pavement Conditions: [Executive Summary]

2006Excutive summaryPDFBriefFHWA/OH-2006/22147580Highway safetyDriver information systemsSpeed measurementSnowplowsRoad weather information systemsHighwaysMaintenance and PreservationOperations and Traffic ManagementPavementsVehicles and EquipmentI62: Winter MaintenanceOhioUnited StatesUnited States. Federal Highway AdministrationZwahlen, Helmut T.Ohio Research Institute for Transportation and the EnvironmentOhio UniversityUS Transportation CollectionThe major objective of the study was to develop a procedure to determine the level of service using the Road Weather Information System (RWIS) speed measurements. The procedure developed can be used by Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to evaluate winter maintenance activities and for winter maintenance decision making. Average traffic speeds for five minute intervals were measured using NuMetrics road sensors and they were related to the pavement and driving conditions. In addition speed data from two other studies was used. The pavement conditions were determined by conducting surveys at rest area buildings using a questionnaire form. It was found that the average traffic speeds were significantly lower during a major snow event even when periodic plowing and salting was done. The average speeds decreased almost linearly for the period of the snow storm reached the minimum and then climbed back slowly towards higher speeds.75